He inspires confidence in tradesmen. FOULDES. And you have the most expensive suite of rooms in the hotel. LADY FREDERICK. I'm in such a dreadful mess. If I hadn't got nice rooms I should brood over it. FOULDES. Then, as if that weren't enough, you fling your money away at the tables. LADY FREDERICK. When you're as poor as I am, a few louis more or less can make absolutely no difference. FOULDES. [_With a laugh._] You're quite incorrigible. LADY FREDERICK. It's really not my fault. I do try to be economical, but money slips through my fingers like water. I can't help it. FOULDES. You want a sensible sort of a man to look after you. LADY FREDERICK. I want a very rich sort of a man to look after me. FOULDES. If you were my wife, I should advertise in the papers that I wasn't responsible for your debts. LADY FREDERICK. If you were my husband, I'd advertise immediately underneath that I wasn't responsible for your manners. FOULDES. I wonder why you're so reckless. LADY FREDERICK. When my husband was alive I was so utterly wretched. And afterwards, when I looked forward to a little happiness, my boy died. Then I didn't care any more. I did everything I could to stupefy myself. I squandered money as other women take morphia--that's all. FOULDES. It's the same dear scatter-brained, good-hearted Betsy that I used to know. LADY FREDERICK. You're the only person who calls me Betsy now. To all the others I'm only Elizabeth. FOULDES. Look here, what are you going to do with this dressmaker? LADY FREDERICK. I don't know. I always trust to the inspiration of the moment. FOULDES. She'll make a devil of a fuss, won't she? LADY FREDERICK. Oh, no; I shall be quite nice to her. FOULDES. I daresay. But won't she be very disagreeable to you? LADY FREDERICK. You don't know what a way I have with my creditors. FOULDES. I know it's not a paying way. LADY FREDERICK. Isn't it? I bet you a hundred louis that I offer her the money and she refuses it. FOULDES. I'll take that. LADY FREDERICK. Here she is. [MADAME CLAUDE _enters, ushered in by the_ SERVANT. _She is a stout, genteel person, very splendidly gowned, with a Cockney accent. Her face is set to sternness, decision to make a scene, and general sourness._ SERVANT. Madame Claude. [_Exit_ SERVANT. LADY FREDERICK _goes up to her enthusiastically and takes both her hands_. LADY FREDERICK. Best of women. This is a joyful surprise. MADAME CLAUDE. [_Drawing herself up._] I 'eard quite by chance that your ladyship was at Monte. LADY FREDERICK. So you came to see me at once. That was nice of you. You're the very person I wanted to see. MADAME CLAUDE. [_Significantly._] I'm glad of that, my lady, I must confess. LADY FREDERICK.